Chapter 94

"Get off the stage if you can't play, Evelyn! Let Natalia handle the performance alone!"

"Yeah, leave! We've waited long enough—stop wasting everyone's time!"

Natalia finally felt she'd successfully stolen the spotlight back from Evelyn. Pride swelled in her chest, though she made sure to plaster on a sympathetic expression.

"If that's how it is, I won't force you. Why don't you step down? I'll handle the performance myself."

"Fine." Evelyn nodded without hesitation. She had no interest in performing for Natalia anyway. The moment she set down the ukulele and left the stage, whispers erupted from Natalia's clique in the front row.

"Pathetic. Can't even play a simple instrument—what's so special about her?"

"If she's from such a wealthy family, I bet her academic records are fake too. Money can buy any reputation!"

"Her? Wealthy? When I was organizing files last week, I saw Evelyn's records. She grew up dirt poor in some village! Had to rely on scholarships just to attend university!"

"Wait—a scholarship student? Then how could her family afford to donate an entire building today?"

"You really think that's her family? Please. She obviously found some sugar daddy in the city with that pretty face of hers. Country girls will do anything for money."

"Sugar daddy? You mean that gorgeous man earlier? He's raising her?"

"Obviously! Did you think someone that young could be her real father? Pfft. They're definitely sleeping together—no man helps a girl like that without ulterior motives."

"Oh! And get this—I heard from upperclassmen that Evelyn spends hours alone in the dean's office. Suspicious, don't you think? Why else would he let her speak at graduation?"

"Ew! The dean's old enough to be her grandfather!"

"So what? Men are all the same—"

Evelyn's expression darkened as she strode toward the gossiping girls.

"What did you just say about the dean?"

The group flinched when Evelyn confronted them, but quickly regained their composure. "What's it to you? You heard us."

Evelyn's voice turned icy. "The dean dedicated his life to education. How dare you disrespect him with your filthy rumors?"

One girl crossed her arms defiantly. "We can say whatever we want. Freedom of speech!"

"Yeah! Exactly!"

"Why so defensive? Hitting a nerve, are we?"

Evelyn grabbed the ringleader's collar. "Say that again. I dare you."

The girl paled but refused to back down. "Planning to hit me? That'll just prove we're right!"

Evelyn released her with a cold smile. "I won't stoop to your level. But you will apologize publicly for slandering the dean."

The girl straightened her shirt with a sneer. "Make us. Unless... you can prove you're actually talented and not just the dean's favorite."

Evelyn arched an eyebrow. "How?"

"Play the ukulele properly. Then we'll believe you earned your spot here—and didn't sleep your way to the top."